CenterPoint Energy consolidated operations from three facilities into one modernized 10-acre campus in Houston’s redeveloping East Downtown (EaDo) district, near Dynamo Stadium. New construction totals 137,000 sf and supports 225 employees working in management, administrative support, training, fabrication and warehouse operations.

The service center centralizes CenterPoint’s three main program areas – there is 42,000 sf of two-story office space; 51,000 sf devoted to various shop functions; and 29,000 sf of warehouse. Approximately 10,000 sf of the shop is served with overhead bridge crane equipment spanning 30-foot-wide structural bays. The warehouse includes 18-foot- and 24-foot-high bay storage areas. An extensive exterior canopy wraps around three sides of the building and covers roughly 34,000 sf. The canopy has 20-foot-long cantilevered framing to provide column-free covered vehicle access.

The site required demolition of several existing buildings. Accordingly, the foundation is shallow spread footings rather than drilled piers to reduce the likelihood of hitting abandoned foundations or utilities. The facility is comprised of conventional structural steel framing with a tilt-wall concrete load bearing system along the perimeter.

The tilt wall method allowed quick construction of 9.5 months, and provides a durable and low-maintenance exterior and interior where exposed.